This is one which I knew I needed to read (Okay I listened to the audiobook but its the same thing) but I hadn’t gotten round to it but a Friend mentioned Orwellian and I thought I’d get hold of it. My overall impression;

WOW!

It’s such a strong, deep and dark story which is chilling in its content and the fact that so much of it has come true and is still coming true. People reporting each other for the smallest of infractions, the most powerful ignoring what they preach, cameras and other recording devices in every home (apparently the new Xbox will monitor how many people are watching a movie that is being played on it via the camera in the connect). That’s just what comes to mind as I sit here writing this still not quite awake.

In the world of 1984 history is being re-written on a daily process. Sex is frowned upon if its for any other reason then reproduction. Even owning a diary is unacceptable.

The story itself though follows a man as he goes from day to day in a mundane life with thoughts of rebelling against Big Brother (not the proxy TV show) but never really thinking further then the little rebellion of having a diary or other such acts. He suspect a young women who he keeps coming across as a member of the Thought Police and fears that she is watching him, knowing he’s having some of these rebellious thoughts. She is not what he thinks though and they go on a journey of rebellion which leads to a resistance group and;

I’ll leave the summary there as I don’t want to let slip any spoilers, but its an amazing story and quite a scary one. The lasting impression that it has left me with is just how much of it has come true. It’s s chilling tail which has really struck a nerve with me, I went out and brought the movie adaptation on Wednesday, and I’m eager to look into more or Orwell’s work. I’ve got Animal Farm somewhere.

Please consider reading this one. It’s in no way dated and should be taught in every school in the world in my opinion.